Meridian developed MQA audio codec to amplify support at Munich High End 2015

Innovative new music codec MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is expected to make a number of strategic partnership announcements at the upcoming High End audio trade fair (May 14-17, MOC Munich), accelerating MQA streaming and studio-supported download services.

First unveiled last December, the Meridian-developed audio codec delivers high-resolution performance without the huge file size footprints associated with DSD, through a combination of upsampling, filtering and encoding. “For the first time in the history of music recording, an artist‘s real performance can be heard,” promises the British audio company. Demos to date have revolved around MQA’d original studio masters, although the technology has wider implications beyond the recording and mastering process. MQA can be streamed at lower bit rates than CD standard 44.1kHz 16-bit.

Known MQA supporters include Imagination, 7digital, Tidal and Onkyo. The MQA container is being positioned as a ubiquitous music solution, suitable for both portable use and high-end audiophile applications. Inside CI also expects MQA to be spun of independent of Meridian, to better court commercial partners.

Munich High-End will also mark the first time that that visitors to a European audio fair will have the opportunity to listen live to the technology. Meridian will be holding a special presentation of the MQA sampling process, in Atrium 3.1 room C112, with representatives open to questions.

Also read:
Meridian outs high resolution high efficiency MQA codec
Music major 7Digital first to confirm MQA format support
Spotify rival Tidal rides wave of ridicule for relaunch